Gary retired to Merimbula on the far south coast of New South Wales, Australia, during 2004. He had long had an interest in history and had been researching his family tree for many decades. The move and his so-called retirement enabled Gary to fulfil a long-held desire to undertake a university course in history.

In 2010 Gary graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Local, Family and Applied History from the University of New England, Armidale. He became a member of the Merimbula-Imlay Historical Society and a volunteer at the Merimbula Old School Museum when he commenced his studies in 2007. Encouraged by his success and having developed an even greater interest in history, Gary continued with his studies and in 2014 was awarded a Bachelor of Historical Inquiry and Practice degree, also from the University of New England.

A requirement of the degree course was the completion of a research project. A monument in the shape of an oyster, chained to the side of the Merimbula Visitor Information Centre, had stimulated Gary’s curiosity not long after he had moved to the town. He was unable to find any information about it in the published histories of the local area. The monument became the inspiration for his research project and has culminated in the publication of this book.

As well as volunteering at the Old School Museum, Gary holds the position of Honorary Treasurer of the Merimbula-Imlay Historical Society. He also does voluntary work at the Bega Valley Genealogy Society, Pambula, and at the Eden Killer Whale Museum.

Gary is happy to hear from readers and can be contacted through his website or Facebook page, or through the publisher, Shadowlands Publishing –
https://garywselman.wixsite.com/garywselman
https://www.facebook.com/garywselmanauthor
www.shadowlandspublishing.com